Proposal to set up centre for study of climate change

The Hindu , Sunday, August 30, 2009
Correspondent : Staff Reporter
KOCHI: Union Minister of State for Agriculture K.V. Thomas has said that there should not be any political intervention in technological and nationally relevant institutions functioning in the State.

Inaugurating a two-day national seminar on “Enhancing Agricultural Productivity and Profitability” here at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) on Saturday in connection with the ongoing Haritholsavam, Mr. Thomas called for an approach that would facilitate an independent and scientific growth of such institutes.

Mr. Thomas said that a proposal to set up a centre for study on climate change had been received from the Kerala Agriculture University.

The minister said the Union government would not enter into any agreement that would adversely affect the prospects of the agriculture and fisheries sectors in the State. He said that the number of problems in the implementation of the integrated package for Kuttanad and Idukki had come down after a couple of discussions. The State Agriculture Production Commissioner has expressed confidence of implementing the package, the minister said.

Delay in procurement

The Coconut Development Board that was originally formed with the interests of Kerala in mind was now benefiting other States. He said that the coconut farmers in the State would have benefited had the State government taken timely steps to procure copra through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) at the minimum support price declared by the Union government in April itself. The government failed to make even one-tenth of the procurements, he said.

Though the State boasted the largest number of exporting units in the fisheries sector in the country, only 30 per cent of their capacity was being utilised. The Marine Products Export Development Authority figures showed that while the income of the State from marine exports had increased, there had been no corresponding increase in the volume of exports.

Stating that the aquaculture sector in the State was yet to develop to its full potential, the minister said that despite its abundant water bodies, the State could not nurture its fish wealth at a rate as seen in States like Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.

Mangala Rai, Director General, Indian Council of Agriculture Research, delivered the keynote address. K.R. Viswambharan, Vice-Chancellor, Kerala Agriculture University, welcomed the gathering, and G. Syda Rao, Director, CMFRI, proposed a vote of thanks. Technical sessions followed.

 
SOURCE : Sunday, August 30, 2009
 


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